HELP!! Which Video card?

[irsooner]

I am looking to replace my old Canopus Spectra 2500 (TNT) card with a new card. I've decided to go with a ATI card for various reasons. NOW, here's the hard part. Which one?

I was going to go with the 9000 Pro, but various post here claim that the 8500LE is better due to its additional pipeline. Now ATI has release the 9500 PRO. A little more than I wanted to spend, but you get what you pay for. What is the story (i.e.- differences in these cards, performance differences, etc.) so I can make a more informed decision?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Akira13]

I had the exact same problem deciding on which card to put in my brother's new machine. It was a tough decision between the 8500LE and the 9500 (not pro... OEM by Sapphire). I decided that because the Radeon 9700Pro was still so new, and the Geforce FX would be out within the first quarter of next year (maybe), the 8500LE would be a good choice. It gives a preformance advantage over the 9000 (I believe the 9000 is ATI equivalent to the GF4MX), and it is not so expensive that it would be a total waste to upgrade to the 9500Pro after the next gen cards come out around next Summer/Fall.

Good luck to you.

 

[Akira13]

By the way, I think there's a decent deal at CompUSA now for the 8500LE 64mb version. It's going for $69.99 after $10 instant rebate and $20 mail-in.